A Brief History of the US Space Program Andrea Sandalic Spring 2005 Project Mercury Began October 7, 1958 – One year and three days after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 United States first program to send humans into space. Chimpanzees used to be on board previously. Sputnik 1

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Project Mercury Began October 7, 1958 – One year and three days after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 United States first program to send humans into space. Chimpanzees used to be on board previously. Sputnik 1 Six manned flights from 1961 to 1963 Chimpanzee, "Enos," flown in Mercury-Atlas 5 two-orbit mission.

“The Apollo program included eleven manned flights andculminated with man's first visit to another world with Apollo 11'striumphant Moon landing on June 20, 1969.” “Apollo 1 - Crew perishes in a launch pad fire. Apollo 7 - First manned Apollo flight. Apollo 8 - First manned flight to the Moon. Apollo 9 - First manned test of the Lunar Module. Apollo 10 - First manned flight of the Lunar Module around the Moon.”